Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-03-11
LITTLE TU'PENNY.
BY S. Barring GOULD.

Mr.. Tottenham was pcrcmptory man,
and, when he saw that the keepers fam
lily had facilitated the execution of the
robbery, Redfern was dismissed immedi-
ately, at weeks notice without a
character. The same fate attended the
butler, Mr.. Thomson, and the house
keeper, Mrs. Podgngs.
Two hours later the same feeble, foot
sore figure retraced her steps, and came
against the gate leading to the mill
Trip it was; but, altered, broken in
spirit and in body; Trip, now utterly
alone in the world
She could walk no further. Her house
shoes were worn off her feet; her stock
ing solos, the soles of her feet worn
through. She was in her crushed straw
berry gown, with n dark cloak over it,
the crisp, Clean bright dress of few
weeks ago was now crumpled soiled,
draggled, like the spirit of her who wore
it.
From the moment she had uttered that
cry, 1.-THE Ringwood platter conscious
ness had deserted her She could recall
fierce face, Write, with glistening eyes,
and q pair of false whiskers half fallen
off, before her, and hand raised, grasp
ing q silver candlestick, vivid, horrible,
nothing more till she woke in her bed
room with an aching head, that was ban
daged, and with smell of vinegar in her
nose,
She was on her bed; she turned her
head and saw blood on the pillow, and
turned again and saw the face OF Nelly.
you're come round at last, are youFn
said the woman. "Well, you'll have to
get round quick / amt going to nurse
you forever. You never ought to have
been brought here"
BY degrees poor Trip learned that she
had been knocked down and stunned
that quarrel had been the result be-
tweon her husband and his pals who
had struck her, and that the three men
had made off with the plate out of the
country, or, at all events into safe quar-
tiers. The house had been cleared of
what little furniture there was, only
Nelly remained to watch Trip. Mr.
Beaufort, as he called himself, and who
really loved the poor girl, had ordered
Nelly, one of the gang, to he with Trip
till she recovered, not only for Trips sake,
but for the safety of the party. She was
to be kept under guard, not allowed to
leave the house for some days, till the
gang had escaped. and danger of pursuit
All at once as Trip was considering
this, q conveyance stopped at the gate,
and four men jumped down, one stood by
the horse, and three lifted something
from the trap and carried ii to the house.
Nelly had opened the door, no bell rang.
Trip heard steps below in the little hall.
Then the horse and trap departed; the
door of the house was bolted and locked,
and Trip heard the tread of the three
men who had entered the house 90 into
the back parlor. What they carried was
heavy, that she knew by the weight of
their tread. She had opened her door,
and held il ajar, listening.
Not word was spoken to Nelly or by
the men, one of whom was probably Mr..
Beaufort.
Trip seated herself on the side of her
bed considering what she should do Her
heart beat fast and spasmodically She
was she felt on the threshold Of a discov-
cry which might bring on her unuttera-
BILE wretchcdness. and yet-it would be a
relief TO the uncomfortable suspense to
know the truth. What should she do:
Wait till morning, and then question her
husband. telling him frankly what she
had done and seen? Then he might evade
her questions as he had evaded them
hitherto.
Would il not be better for her to act at
once 90 downstairs and confront him
with his friends and Nelly, and demand
an immediate explanation?
Trip stood up. Her determination was
made. Softly, silently, as Nelly had
stolen up the stairs, did Trip now stea
down. There was no lightin hepassagC
below; but a little gray dawn crept ir
through the staircase window She
reached the hall and saw a light under
the back parlor door. She rested hel
hand on the handle for one moment OF
irresolution. Then, as she had had the
strength once to launch herself on hel
aerial flight, so did she now launch her
self on this excursion into the mystery
that went on in her own house. She
opened the door and stepped boldly in.
Before her, with terror on their faces
stood three men in rough coats, and one
though disguised she recognized as hel
husband. There also was Nelly. The
fire in the stove was glowing red ant
over it was a crucible
On the table was spread out n quantity
of silver plate-kcttlcs, candlesticks
cream jugs spoons, forks, plattcra, anC
ranged as though in mockery, one afte
the other, all round the table rim
twenty-four little silver wheelbarrows
inscribed "Propera"
Trip uttered a cry, "The Ringwoo(
plater